Z splits into three categories by duration. Short Z (up to 30 days) — for performers and short specific work, no residence permit conversion, no biometrics needed. Z up to 90 days (most often models) — with biometrics, converts to a residence permit. Z from 180 days — Categories A/B/C, biometrics mandatory, converts to a work residence permit.
Z-VISA TYPE: WORK VISA
China Work Visa for Ukrainians in 2026
Legal employment in China. Work Permit Notification & Type Z visa — documents, requirements, and how the process works.
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About the Visa
What is a Work Visa to China
The Chinese Work Visa (Type Z) is for contract-based employment in China. It splits into three categories by duration: Z up to 30 days (performers, concerts, installation, audit) requires no conversion and allows remote submission; Z up to 90 days (most often models) requires biometrics and converts to a residence permit; Z from 180 days (Categories A/B/C by qualification) requires biometrics and a residence permit. The Chinese employer prepares the documents to open the visa. Z visas are always single-entry — they are an entry permit for subsequent residence permit conversion. The geographic city restriction (5–10 cities listed in the document package) is critical.
Key requirements
- Valid international passport (minimum 6 months)
- Foreign Work Permit Notice issued by the Chinese employer
- Employment contract between you and the employer
- Business license of the Chinese employer
- Client documents per employer's request: diploma, criminal record certificate, medical exam (per employer's request — for the work permit, not the visa itself)
Eligibility
Who is this visa for
This type of visa permit is ideally suited for the following categories of applicants:
IT professionals, engineers, and technical specialists (Category B)
Top-tier specialists in narrow fields (Category A)
Models (a separate Z up to 90 days — not part of A/B/C)
Performers and artists on specific short engagements (short Z up to 30 days)
Low-skilled or seasonal workers (Category C, Z from 180 days)
Foreign language teachers and trainers
Branch managers and representatives of Chinese companies
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORK VISA?
Free travel-planning consultation for China: exhibitions, tours, interpreting and trip logistics.
Overview
Questions and Answers
What is the Chinese Z work visa?
Visa for legal employment in China. Three categories by duration: short Z (≤30 days, no conversion), Z up to 90 days (most often models, with biometrics), and long Z from 180 days (Categories A/B/C, with residence permit conversion). Always single-entry.
How much does it cost?
The consular (government) fee is set by the PRC embassy; assistance is the same for all Z types. Current fees available on request.
Who prepares the work permit?
Exclusively the Chinese employer. We handle client documents: diploma and criminal record apostille, translation, package assembly, and submission.
Are biometrics required?
Mandatory for Z up to 90 days (models) and long Z from 180 days. Not required for short Z (≤30 days).
Can I work anywhere in China?
No. A Z visa is tied to 5–10 specific cities listed in the document package. Working outside the list = deportation and ban.
Why it's easy with us
From scans to a finished visa — we help with everything that can be done for you.
01
Only scans from you
Passport, photo, Foreign Work Permit Notice, contract and the employer's business license. Scans are enough at the start. We fill out COVA and check the package.
No personal visit required02
We check and submit the package
We verify the Foreign Work Permit Notice, contract and business license for consistency, prepare the package, and submit directly to the PRC consulate in Chișinău.
Application process03
No extra trips
Short Z up to 30 days — remote. Z with biometrics (up to 90 and from 180 days) — only 1 day in Chișinău, then you return on your second passport.
Processing timelinesFree tools
Free tools for your China trip
Currency Converter: UAH / USD / CNY / EUR
Live UAH/USD/CNY/EUR rates plus cards with typical China prices: flights, food, gadgets, the consular fee.
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Try itCost & fees
What a visa costs
The total cost is the official consular fee — which the embassy sets and is the same for everyone — plus your own trip costs. The cost of any assistance, if you need it, is agreed individually on request.
Short Z (≤30 days) — turnkey
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 10–14 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
Best choice
Z with biometrics — '1 day in Chișinău' scheme
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 14–18 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
Preparation-only service (self-submission)
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 1–2 days prep
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
The consular fee is an official payment you make to the embassy yourself. The exact amount depends on the number of entries and nationality; verify the current rate officially.
Verify officiallyStandard processing
10–14 days (short Z remote) · 14–18 days (Z with biometrics via '1 day in Chișinău' scheme)
Expedited review
7–10 days (express)
Processing times and the final visa decision rest with the consulate. We explain the requirements and help prepare your documents; the consulate decides.
Requirements
Required documents
We simplify document preparation to the minimum. Requirements are structured in two groups.
Mandatory documents
- International passport (original)
- Digital photo 33×48 mm (official; 3.5×4.5 cm also accepted)
- Foreign Work Permit Notice — original from employer
- Completed China2Day internal questionnaire
Need the photo? Make it free of charge online to COVA standards or with ChatGPT / Gemini.
Supporting documentation
- Employment contract — prepared by the Chinese employer
- Business license of the Chinese company — prepared by the employer
- Previous Chinese visas
- Additional documents the employer may request (depends on Category A/B/C, industry, province)
Questions about the documents?
Message us — we'll explain the requirements, help you check your documents and outline the next steps. The consulate makes the visa decision. Reply within 30 minutes.
TelegramonlineLive chat — we reply faster
Visa sub-types & validity parameters
Category 01
Short Z (≤30 days, single)
Performers, concerts, short specific assignments. No residence permit conversion. Remote submission via Chișinău is possible (no biometrics needed, since there is no conversion). Each concert requires a separate document package.
Category 02
Z up to 90 days (with biometrics)
Most often model visas. With biometrics, converts to a residence permit in China. The '1 day in Chișinău' scheme. A separate category — not part of A/B/C.
Category 03
Long Z Category A (from 180 days)
Top-tier specialists in narrow fields China actively recruits. Personal submission with biometrics mandatory. Converts to a work residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Category 04
Long Z Category B (from 180 days)
Categorized professionals — engineers, IT, teachers, qualified specialists. Personal submission with biometrics. Residence permit conversion.
Category 05
Long Z Category C (from 180 days)
Baseline — less specialized work, low-skilled or seasonal workers. Personal submission with biometrics. Residence permit conversion.
IMPORTANT RULE: HONG KONG & MACAU VOID SINGLE-ENTRY VISAS
Please remember that exiting mainland China into Hong Kong or Macau is legally treated as crossing an international border. If you hold a Single visa, exiting to Hong Kong immediately voids it, preventing you from returning to the mainland. For trips that involve transits or side-visits to Hong Kong/Macau with a return to the mainland, you will need a Double or Multi visa.
Who We Serve
Tailored Solutions for Every Purpose
We understand the nuances of every journey and adapt our concierge preparation to your exact needs.
Technical specialists
Engineers and installers invited by Chinese companies to commission equipment and support production.
Corporate transferees
Managers and specialists relocated to the Chinese offices of international companies on long-term contracts.
Teachers & experts
Foreign teachers, trainers and industry experts invited to work at Chinese institutions and companies.
Comparison
On your own or with guidance
A comparison of two paths: travelling yourself to submit documents in person (for example, to Warsaw) versus preparing with our informational support. Either way, the consulate makes the visa decision.
| Comparison factors | With China2day guidance | Self-submission (Warsaw) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cost | Official consular fee + optional assistance (quoted on request) | From Ukraine (if permitted to travel): Travel, hotel and consular fees From EU (Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.): Local consular fees |
| Time Invested | Online form, no travel to submit | Travel, queues, several days |
| Logistics | We explain the requirements and help check documents | Getting there (train, bus, car), bookings, in-person queue |
| Document preparation | Documents reviewed by experienced specialists before submission | You check them yourself; errors surface at submission |
Preparation
6 common visa refusal reasons and how to prepare
Cause 01
The consulate issues the wrong visa type due to wording in the invitation
How to prepare
We check the invitation before submission, point out errors to the client/Chinese partner, and recommend edits based on real cases
Cause 02
The invitation was obtained from unverified intermediaries on Telegram or other unofficial sources
How to prepare
We work only with licensed Chinese companies and verified partners who bear legal responsibility for the invitation
Cause 03
Mismatch of dates, routes, or personal data between the COVA form and the invitation
How to prepare
We carry out a multi-level check of all documents before submission to rule out any discrepancies
Cause 04
The route includes Hong Kong or Macao during a trip on a single-entry visa
How to prepare
We analyze the route in advance and recommend the correct visa type or an adjustment to the travel plan
Cause 05
The photo does not meet the consulate's technical requirements (poor background, clothing, lighting, or file format)
How to prepare
We provide detailed photo instructions and check the image before submitting documents
Cause 06
Submitting documents less than a week before departure, with no time reserve for processing and logistics
How to prepare
We recommend submitting documents at least 3 weeks before the trip and warn about risks and timelines at the consultation stage
Workflow
Step-by-step application workflow
1
Client document preparation
Prerequisite: the Chinese employer has already obtained the Foreign Work Permit Notice and prepared the contract. From this point we work — apostille of diploma and criminal record certificate in Ukraine (Hague Convention). Translation to Chinese. Medical examination per employer's request. Full package assembly.
2
Electronic submission (Stage 1)
We help complete the COVA form and prepare your documents for the consulate portal. Online review takes 2–5 business days.
3
Short Z remote stamping · Z with biometrics '1 day in Chișinău'
Short Z up to 30 days (no biometrics): you ship the passport via Nova Poshta, and the consulate stamps the visa in Chișinău. Z with biometrics (up to 90 and from 180 days): you fly in for 1 day to Chișinău, submit biometrics, return home on a second passport.
4
Residence Permit after arrival
For Z with biometrics (up to 90 and from 180 days) — conversion to work residence permit within 30 days. Managed by the employer in China. For short Z up to 30 days — no conversion; you exit at the end of the term.
Common DIY application mistakes
Avoiding these critical paperwork issues helps prevent delays in the consular review:
- Trying to work in a city not listed in the Work Permit — deportation and 10-year ban
- Expecting Z to grant the right to work anywhere in China — the visa is tied to specific 5–10 cities
- For performers — using one package for a series of shows in different cities
- Submitting a short Z for work exceeding 30 days — illegal work = deportation + 10-year ban
- Missing the 30-day residence permit conversion deadline for Z with biometrics (up to 90 and from 180 days)
- Trying to obtain the Foreign Work Permit Notice without the Chinese employer's involvement
Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
A — top-tier specialists in narrow fields. B — categorized professionals (engineers, IT, teachers). C — baseline (low-skilled or seasonal workers). Important: A/B/C are categories only for Z from 180 days. Models are a separate Z up to 90 days, not Category C. The category determines what the employer asks of the client, not our price.
Exclusively the Chinese employer through local administration. We do not issue work permits — it's outside our scope. We help only with client documents (diploma, criminal record, medical exam) and visa submission.
Mandatory for Z up to 90 days (models) and long Z from 180 days at the Moldovan consulate. Not required for short Z (≤30 days); remote submission is possible.
The consular (government) fee is set by the PRC embassy. Assistance is the same for all Z types (short and long A/B/C). Current fees available on request.
Z does NOT grant the right to work anywhere in China. The document package lists 5–10 permitted cities (for models and most long Z). Work outside the list = deportation. For performers on series of shows — separate package per engagement.
Z is always single — it's an entry permit for subsequent residence permit conversion. After conversion, entries/exits are unrestricted under the residence permit.
Path 1 (recommended): ask the employer to include children in the Work Permit — we open Z for client + visas for children in one submission. Path 2 (classic): after receiving the residence permit — S visas for family members.
For long Z with biometrics — you fly in to Chișinău for 1 day, submit biometrics, hand us the passport, return home on a second passport. We courier the finished passport to Ukraine. Real time in Moldova: 1 day, not a week.
For long Z — after conversion to work residence permit, extensions are processed via local administration without leaving the country. Managed by the employer.
Voice Search
The Chinese Z work visa is for official employment in China. Short Z up to 30 days (performers, artists) — submitted remotely via the consulate in Chișinău, no biometrics. Z up to 90 days (most often models) and long Z from 180 days (Categories A/B/C: engineers, IT, teachers) — submitted via the '1 day in Chișinău' scheme with biometrics. The Chinese employer prepares the work permit; we handle the client documents (apostille, translation, submission). Always single-entry — after arrival it converts to a residence permit.
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